Ian,
>I think you are applying a basic set of misunderstandings to the
>role which
>increasing numbers of GPs play, myself included. I now rarely see
>ill people in
>the sense that they come for a diagnosis. I see people with
>ongoing, complex
>problems both physical and psychological. I see my job as acting
>as some sort of
>interface between the harsh realities of medical fact/statistics and the
>individual. This often takes time and discussion. Very few of my
>assessments can
>be made in one sitting - connecting and understanding is not easy.
>
>The out of hours service you describe will meet the needs of a
>tiny minority of
>patients who are basically well but need some minor technical medical
>assistance. Rather like surgical waiting lists this may be politically
>desirable but would draw valuable resources away from real medical need.
>
>There is be a market for the service you describe - is this not
>what the private
>GP clinics at Victoria and Euston are for. But note the cost! Do
>we really want
>to divert NHS resources into a marketing exercise.
Of course not, it's my nightmare scenario. Way back in
this thread one of the arguments against registration
of patients with pharmacies was that it would be inconvenient
to the patient. Apply the convenience model to doctors and
you hopefully see how ludicrous it is.
What's the essential difference? Its the same patients,
pharmacists probably see them more often, see them when they
are healthy as well as when they are ill. No appointments
necessary so if they forget two of the three things that they
are told they can (and do) come back half an hour later.
Regards
Jeff Green
Community Locum and Consultant Pharmacist
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